Grafting for Sustainable Growth Performance of Melon (Cucumis melo) Under Salt Stressed Hydroponic Condition

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to find out whether grafting could improve salinity tolerance of melon plants, and whether possible induction of tolerance to salinity was linked with the defense of the photosynthetic apparatus. The climate chamber experiment was carried out to determine main stem length, leaf chlorophyll index (SPAD), fresh weight of shoot and root, and root length. Under climate chamber conditions, two melon cultivars [galia type Citirex F1) and standard type (Kirkagac Manisa Altinbas)] were grafted onto two different commercial Cucurbita maxima x C. moschata hybrid rootstocks (Kardosa and Nun 9075) and grown in 8 L pots filled continuously with aerated nutrient solution under two different salt levels (1 and 8 dS/m) with three replications. The results indicated that grafted and un-grafted plants were significantly (P<0.001) affected by different salt levels. Grafted plants had better growth performance than un-grafted plants under both control and saline conditions. The SPAD value of the un-grafted plants significantly decreased as salinity stress increased, while root fresh weight of the grafted plants significantly increased under salinity stress. Under saline conditions the highest shoot fresh weight, and SPAD value were recorded in graft combination Nun 9075/ Citirex. These results suggest that the use of salt tolerant Cucurbita maxima x C. moschata hybrid rootstocks can improve crop performance in melon under salt stress, whereas the appropriate scion/ rootstock combinations under saline conditions will be investigated for fruit yield and quality parameters in further studies.

Effects of grafting on growth, root morphology and leaf physiology of pepino (Solanum muricatum Ait.) as affected by salt stress under hydroponic conditions

“…Inhibitions of shoot growth in ungrafted plants are due to decline in leaves number, deposition of shoot fresh weight and shoot dry weight, extension of shoots and a decrease in the area and size of the leaf (Flexas et al, 2004;Zhang et al, 2009). Our outcomes were in line by research of grafted plants such as pepper (Penella et al, 2016;Al Rubaye et al, 2020), melon (Ulas et al, 2019a) and watermelon (Ulas et al, 2020) in a saline state.…”

“…Grafted plants produced significantly higher leaf and root ion leakage under both 4 dS m -1 (28.15, 39.05) and 8 dS m -1 (33.72, 48.44) salt applications comparing with ungrafted plants. Similar results were observed under saline conditions at grafted plants such as cucumber (Colla et al, 2013), watermelon (Yamac, 2017), melon (Ulas et al, 2019a), tomato (Ulas et al, 2019b), and pepper (Penella et al, 2016;Al Rubaye et al, 2020). 3.…”

Investigation on morphology and physiology of nitrogen efficiency in different pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) inbred lines

“…It is also an innovative technique for the suitable cultivation of fruit-bearing vegetables such as tomatoes, bean, eggplant, cucumber, melon in Japan, Korea, the Mediterranean basin, and several European countries (POGONYI et al, 2005). Grafting with vigorous rootstocks can enhance pest and disease resistance, yield, to increase the absorption of nutrients and the mineral content in the aerial portion of the plant, drought and cold tolerance, growth, fruit quality, the tolerance to high and low temperatures and salt tolerance as reported for different crops such as watermelon, melon, tobacco, and tomato (DASGAN et al, 2015;GUNGOR and BALKAYA, 2016;SARABI et al, 2017;ULAS et al, 2019a;ULAS et al, 2020).…”

Role of Grafting in Tolerance to Salt Stress in Melon (Cucumis melo L.) Plants: Ion regulation and antioxidant defense systems

“…Grafting is considered to be a vital approach that alleviates the consequences of abiotic stress factors, particularly in tomato and melon (Penella et al, 2016). Melon (Cucumis melo L.), of the family Cucurbitaceae, is a significant horticultural crop that is mainly grown in arid and semiarid regions where salt stress remains a serious problem, despite the advanced management techniques that have been developed over the past decades (Ulas et al, 2019).…”